Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-09-01
NO. "a.

Henry" said Mrs. Raymond 10 her bus-
band, don't you think yon had better
speak 10 Sne and Alice, and ask them not
to go forward ? You needn't tell theni
what is the matter, you know. They've
been on deck since this morning.
you are right, dear, and I'll see IL any
thing can be done for the child. If money
can hire a nurse I'll find one.
Without further words he left the state
room and took his way to the deck. He
soon found Alice, deep In one of Mrs. Whit
ney's books behind the wheel-housc.
Allie, dear, wouldn't go forward Of the
smoke stack today. They're cleaning the
steerage quarters, and the air IL very un-
pleasant
Very well, papa without looking from
her book
Promise me, dear
why of course / won't, II you don't wish
me TO- sir 2 said Alice surprised mt her faith
er's earnestness, and turning 10 see the rea-
son. But he was gone, and she dropped
back into her book. Presently he returned
with a troubled face.
Alice, have you seen Sue, lately p
NO, papa, not since / came oil deck.
Why %
Il wish very much 10 speak 10 her. Please
try to lind her
Alice turned down leaf and rose reluc-
family. At that moment the quartermaster,
who was in charge of til c deck, touched his
hat and said Il seed you little girl on the
lower deck, sir, about two hours ago, goin'
forrard.'
The troubled look on Mr.. RaymOnd's face
deepened. He turned away at once. Meet
ing the young doctor as he did SO, he spoke
few words to him in a low tone, upon
which the two went Immediately down the
companion way, and walked with quick
steps toward the bow of the ship. They Of
ten had to pause, and pick their way a
round the groups of steerage passengers
who lay about the deck in every conceiva-
BILE position. Some of them stared at the
well-dressed gentleman with the troubled
face, and some of the began question 10
the doctor but the two kept on without
word. Past the kitchen, with its steamy,
veg etable odors, past the engine room, and
its ver-resting, polished steel bars vibrat-
ing up and down, back and forth. At each
of these places the doctor asked a single
question of the men In charge aud then
went on. Not a nook nor corner, not rag
ged, woeful-faced group Of women and chill
dren escaped the anxious, searching glance
of the father seye. The walk was repeated on
the other side of the ship, but without result
AS they passed one door a sickening, sui
phury odor crept ont, and few curls of
smoke
They're preparing for the fumigation,
explained the doctor, keenly watching his
companions face. Il thought we'd best do
it, 10 satisfy the authorities
Then they went straight TO the head of
the stairs that led TO the dark, ill-ventilat-
ell stecrage. There the doctor paused and
checked Mr. Ras .LaoIad with his hand.
Il wouldn't 60 down there, he said, light
ly, with his rising English accent; it's
rather a disagreeable place, you know
Suddenly his face changed. 'Hark = he
said. And Mr.. Raymond listened.
Family, sweetly came a girlish voice up
out of the darkness. Some one was singing.
All, if the roar of the wind and the dull
breaking of waters against the bows would
but stop for one little moment Hark-
they could hear the words now:
Jesus, lover of my SOUL
The doctor glanced again at MI. .Raymond's
Ia ~.
the wave-tops that could be seen over the
bulwalks rs the ship rolled
Doctor he said, let me pass. That is
my little girl singing
oh, never mind, said the doctor, still
holding his arm across the companionway
I'll 20 down and get her up
Doctor, why won't you let me-you
said
The surgeon glanced over his shoulder
and saw that they were alone. Then he
looked the other full in the eye, and said
slowly:
Because it-is-small-pox.'
Then for Gods S sake let me go by Stand
aside, say, or I'll knock You down and
pass over you! For the tall, wiry young
doctor had placed himself before him, and
was directly blocking the way.
You will do no such thing, sir. You
are not strong enough TO master me, and
If you try, will have you put in irons.
will go down and bring your daughter up.
She shall occupy my stateroom for the rest
of the voyage. If her mother chooses to
;t r.n,
until we land, she may do 80. You cannot
see her, and afterward go back among the
passengers.
"while the billows near me ROLL"
Again the childish tones, with little
tired tremble in them, rose above the sound
Of the waters. Mr.. Raymond covered his
face with his hands a moment, then turned
away.
Her mother will come, he said.
The doctor quickly descended the stairs.
The steerage was divided by rough parti-
tions into small compartments, around the
sides in the open space in the centre, where
were the dining tables made of pine boards.
once clean and fresh, but now stained to
dingy brown. In each compartment
We're six berths, three on side, one over
the other. These berths We're filled with
various untidy heaps of bed-clothing, as
their occupants had hurridly left them in
the morning, and the air of the Whole place
was foul and sitting. In the farthest cor
ner, on the edge Of one Of the wide berths,
sat Sue, her pretty brown steamer-hood
thrown back OH her shoulders, holding the
sick child in her lap, bending over it, and
rocking it to and fro as she sung.
4 am glad you've come, doctor she said
simply. Il was getting tired. Have you
found anybody to take care of this little
girl /? Because if you haven't, am going
to stay with her tonight
DO YOU know what is the matter with